Shloka 9

Praise of Vṛṣotsarga (Bull-release), Worthy Dāna, and the Procedure for Kṣayāha & Ūrdhva-daihika Rites

Devanagari script

अपुत्रो ऽपि विशेषेण क्रियां चैवान्ध्वदौहिकीम् / प्रकुर्यान्मोक्षकामश्च निर्धनश्च विशेषतः

Transliteration

aputro 'pi viśeṣeṇa kriyāṃ caivāndhvadauhikīm / prakuryānmokṣakāmaśca nirdhanaśca viśeṣataḥ

Translation

పుత్రుడు లేనివాడైనా ప్రత్యేకంగా పరలోకయాత్రామార్గసంబంధ క్రియలను, పితృపిండదానమును చేయవలెను. మోక్షాన్ని కోరువాడు—ప్రత్యేకించి దరిద్రుడు—ఇవన్నీ శ్రద్ధతో విశేష జాగ్రత్తగా ఆచరించవలెను।

Word by Word

• aputraḥ: sonless
• aputraḥ: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: aputra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; नञ्-तत्पुरुषार्थः (पुत्रो न यस्य)

• api: even
• api: Avadhāraṇa (Concessive/अवधारण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: api (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; अपि = even/also

• viśeṣeṇa: especially
• viśeṣeṇa: Prakaraṇa (Manner/प्रकार)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: viśeṣa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तृतीया-एकवचनरूपेण प्रयुक्तं क्रियाविशेषणम् (instrumental used adverbially)

• kriyām: rite, act (ritual)
• kriyām: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kriyā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• ca: and
• ca: Samuccaya (Conjunction/समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक-अव्यय

• eva: indeed
• eva: Avadhāraṇa (Emphasis/अवधारण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: eva (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; अवधारणार्थक (only/indeed)

• andhva-dauhikīm: beneficial for the path (for the journey after death)
• andhva-dauhikīm: Karma (Object qualifier/कर्म-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: andhva (प्रातिपदिक) + dauhikī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (अन्ध्वनि/मार्गे उपकारिणी—‘यात्रोपयोगिनी’ इत्यर्थे)

• prakuryāt: should perform
• prakuryāt: Kriya (Action/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: pra-kṛ (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (Optative), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; ‘प्रकुर्यात्’ = should perform

• mokṣa-kāmaḥ: desiring liberation
• mokṣa-kāmaḥ: Karta (Subject qualifier/कर्ता-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: mokṣa (प्रातिपदिक) + kāma (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (मोक्षस्य कामः)

• ca: and
• ca: Samuccaya (Conjunction/समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक-अव्यय

• nirdhanaḥ: poor
• nirdhanaḥ: Karta (Subject qualifier/कर्ता-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: nirdhana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; निः-उपसर्गयुक्त (धनरहितः)

• ca: and
• ca: Samuccaya (Conjunction/समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक-अव्यय

• viśeṣataḥ: especially
• viśeṣataḥ: Prakaraṇa (Manner/प्रकार)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: viśeṣa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्यय; क्रियाविशेषणम् (विशेषतः)

Speaker

Lord Vishnu

Pretakalpa Layer

Afterlife Stage: Yamaloka Journey

Shraddha Ritual

Ritual Type: Parvana

Beneficiary: Pitr

Timing: As prescribed by śrāddha calendar and death-related observances; performed ‘especially’ with care even when sonless/poor.

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Even without a son, one should perform post-death journey-supporting rites and ancestral offerings; for the mokṣa-seeker—especially the poor—these should be done with special care.

Vedantic Theme: Sādhana through dharmic rites as support for inner release; recognizes that mokṣa is not barred by lack of progeny or wealth—intent and correctness matter.

Application: If childless/financially constrained, perform simplified but sincere śrāddha-related duties (as per capacity and guidance), combine with nāma-smaraṇa and ethical living.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: karuna

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: śrāddha/antyeṣṭi-related ritual setting (implied)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana Pretakalpa: path of the preta, importance of rites; Śrāddha-kāṇḍa themes: offerings for pitṛs and the departed

Characters & Entities

• Pitris

FAQs

What is the importance of performing death and śrāddha rites even if one is sonless (aputra) in the Garuda Purana?

This verse states that being without a son is not a valid reason to omit the prescribed post-death-path (andhva) rites and pitṛ offerings; they should be performed especially carefully to support dharma and the after-death journey.

How does this verse relate to the soul’s journey after death in the Preta Kanda?

By emphasizing “andhva” (the path/journey), the verse links ritual duties to the deceased’s onward passage and welfare, indicating that proper rites are considered supportive for the post-mortem transition described in the Preta Kanda.

What is a practical application of this teaching today?

Arrange essential last rites and periodic śrāddha within one’s means—especially if resources are limited—prioritizing sincerity and correct intent (dharma and mokṣa-oriented living) over display or expense.